can someone tell me what parts of texas have there differences in wild bird numbers and favorable habitat for good dog work? for example i went to south texas only one weekend and found the mesquite trees to be too thick for good dog work. north central texas was so dry last year the scent conditons were terrible for my dog and i expect it to be worst this year. so what about the panhandle area and west texas?? any advice??
what is you take on south texas and north central??
pros and cons of hunting texas
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blanked
- Rank: Master Hunter
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:58 pm
- Location: Texas
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gr_elliott
I think bird (quail/phesant) hunting is going to be tough this year no matter where you are at in the state. last year in the Pan handle was awesome (by Texas standards) as far as numbers go, but with the large fires they had up there earlier this year I am afraid that knocked the count way down. South Texas is in the middle of worst drought they have ever had, so that is another negative. From the reports that I am getting from various people it looks like the best place for quail this year is going to be between Abilene and San Angelo. Numbers seem to be alright there.
just my .02
just my .02
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Tejas
- Rank: Champion
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:58 pm
- Location: Trophy Club, Tx
Texas hunting
My lease is in North Central Texas (Shackleford Co.). It started ok last year and then deteriorated rapidly. I'm going to be surprised if there are any birds at all this year with the conditions....and its not a small place....4,000+ acres.
We are going to have to look for an area that had timely rains and a good carryover population. I'm pretty pessimistic.
We are going to have to look for an area that had timely rains and a good carryover population. I'm pretty pessimistic.
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portsider44
Pros:
Still good wild birds numbers in Panhandle & West Texas. GOing to be patchy just like the rains where this year. I think the SW & NE panhandle will be the better spots. As they seemed to catch most of the rains.
Also you can find Scale (Blues), Bobwhite, and Gamble quails along with pheasant, & very short prairie chicken season.
4 months of quail hunting
Good bag limits
Mild winters
Cons:
Limited public lands & lots of tied up private places
DUe to mild winters snakes "can/may" be an issue year round
Seems like every thing either bites or pokes you. Mesquites, prickly pear, sand burrs, goatheads, devils pin cushion, barb wire... Really hard on dogs & tough on hunters.
Hot days can limit hunt time to early mornings & late afternoons. Heat stroke for man & beast can be an issue year round. Also reuires you to carry more water. Heat really makes it tough on the 1 dog hunter.
Dry & windy conditions can lean to tough hunting for dogs.
Sure I missed some but that all I can think of for now...MIKE
Still good wild birds numbers in Panhandle & West Texas. GOing to be patchy just like the rains where this year. I think the SW & NE panhandle will be the better spots. As they seemed to catch most of the rains.
Also you can find Scale (Blues), Bobwhite, and Gamble quails along with pheasant, & very short prairie chicken season.
4 months of quail hunting
Good bag limits
Mild winters
Cons:
Limited public lands & lots of tied up private places
DUe to mild winters snakes "can/may" be an issue year round
Seems like every thing either bites or pokes you. Mesquites, prickly pear, sand burrs, goatheads, devils pin cushion, barb wire... Really hard on dogs & tough on hunters.
Hot days can limit hunt time to early mornings & late afternoons. Heat stroke for man & beast can be an issue year round. Also reuires you to carry more water. Heat really makes it tough on the 1 dog hunter.
Dry & windy conditions can lean to tough hunting for dogs.
Sure I missed some but that all I can think of for now...MIKE
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portsider44
No I haven't heard of the Matador Ranch. However I hunt quite a bit at the Matador WMA that is north of Paducah & they have decent bird numbers.
I talked to some folks that hunt south of Paducah & they claim its going to be another decent year for quail. Around the Matador/Paducah area is normally bobs only, have not seen any blues in this area.
I talked to some folks that hunt south of Paducah & they claim its going to be another decent year for quail. Around the Matador/Paducah area is normally bobs only, have not seen any blues in this area.